Silver 1 kg bullion coin Czech Lion 2026 high relief, patinated stand

“Czech Lions”, bullion coins from the Czech Mint , are designed to allow investors to invest their funds in precious metals, but their artistic craftsmanship also appeals to anyone wishing to expand their numismatic collection or give an exceptional gift. The beauty of the 1-kilogram silver coin with its special design and the year 2026 is emphasised by the high relief and patina.

The best-known story of how the exotic lion became a symbol of the Czech lands is the legend of Bruncvík , a mythical prince who travelled as far as Africa, where he helped the king of the beasts in his battle against a ferocious lioness. A more credible explanation is offered by the ancient chroniclers. According to them, in the year 1158, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa rewarded Prince Vladislav II with a royal crown and a new heraldic animal, which replaced the previous eagle. The lion symbolised the virtues of a knight -  the strength and courage that Vladislav had demonstrated whilst conquering the city of Milan in the Emperor’s service. And how did this heraldic beast come to have its second tail? Once again, heroism played a part. In the year 1204, King  Ottokar I aided Emperor Otto IV in the fight against the Saxons, and the Bohemian lion was granted a second tail as a result, distinguishing it from the beasts of other nations and conferring unique prestige upon it. Medieval writers, however, were fond of embellishing their tales and are not a reliable source of information. One thing is therefore certain – the first truly documented Czech lion was a symbol of the Přemyslid dynasty and appears on the equestrian seal of Vladislaus Henry from the year 1203. It was Otakar II, the Iron and Golden King, who elevated the lion to the coat of arms of the entire country.

The reverse side of the coin, designed by the medallist Vojtěch Dostál, DiS., features a stylised head of the Czech lion inspired by the national coat of arms of the Czech Republic. Alongside the king of beasts, the Crown of St Wenceslas stands out in high relief, accentuated by a patina. As the coins from the Czech Mint are issued under licence from a foreign issuer, the island of Niue, their obverse side bears the necessary attributes, which means the name and portrait of King Charles III, the nominal value of 80 DOLLARS (NZD) and the year of issue 2026.

Do not miss other special variants of the ‘Czech Lion’ bullion coin -  for example, those featuring ruthenium or an embossed hologram with a hidden message.

The Czech Mint has extensive experience in the production of bullion coins. We have been minting ‘Czech Lion’ gold and silver coins since 2017, and they have proved popular with investors not only in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also in Hungary, Germany, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the United States of America. The world’s largest online distributor of precious metals has also requested to include them in its range. One of the reasons why the Czech Mint’s investment coins have so quickly taken their place alongside famous international counterparts (such as the Austrian Wiener Philharmoniker, the Canadian Maple Leaf, the South African Krugerrand, the American Eagle, the Chinese Panda and the Australian Kangaroo) is their low mintage. Whilst investment coins from foreign mints are struck in the millions, the mintage limit for coins struck in the Czech Republic is in the hundreds or thousands. This fact increases the potential for capital appreciation and adds a collector’s dimension to the investment. Thanks to their artistic design, the coins also make excellent original and valuable gifts –- for a graduation, a wedding, the birth of a child, or simply for joy…